Traversing mechanism for high speed winding



g, 190 .1. E. BROMLEY 2,924,393

TRAVERSING MECHANISM FOR HIGH SPEED WINDING Filed Dec. 3, 1953 ATTORNEY or windings.

United; States PatentO TRAVERSIN G MECHANISM FOR HIGH SPEED WINDING James E. Bromley, Pensacola, Fla., assignor to The Chemstrand Corporation, Decatur, Ala., a corporation of Delaware Application December 3, 1953, Serial No. 396,005

Claims. (Cl. 242-1585) This invention relates to an'apparatus for winding strands, yarns, threads, slivers, or the like, of filamentous or fibrous material on cones, tubes, bobbins, spools, or some similar revoluble supporting member at high speeds. More particularly the invention is concerned with a novel high speed traversing mechanism for use in winding continuous filamentous material or fibrous material evenly on a spool, bobbin, or like holder.

Throughout the instant specification and claims the termfstrands is intended to include thread, yarn, sliver, fiber, filament, wire, ribbon, fibrous or filamentary bundle, and the like, etc. In the textile industry, strands obtained by various processes are wound into packages on bobbins, cones, tubes, or like revoluble supporting members. In such winding operations it is necessary to employ some means of-axially traversing the strand back and forth along the package. Various and sundry traversing means have heretofore been proposed for use in winding strands on bobbins, cones, spools, etc. These prior devices have ordinarily comprised a reciprocating member or guide which travels back and forth. adjacent the surface of a rotating spool or other holder on which the strand material is being wound. In general, the reciprocating motionof the member or guide has been accomplished by means of a cam, or the like. However, at the end of the stroke in either direction adjacent the surface of the package being wound, there is a pause, during which time the guide reverses its direction. This pause, because of its undue length, has resulted in bulges occurring at each end of thewound package, which obviously is disadvantageous.

These bulges are not only undesirable but are also harmful in the treatment of the strands on the bobbin or like winding member, such as in washing, drying,

bleaching, dyeing, steaming, and other operations. At the bulges, the thickness of the wound package is greater and, therefore, the treating time of the package must be based on the treating time required at the bulges. As a result, there is danger of seriously damaging the strands. For example,in such operations as bleaching, the strands on that portion of the wound package other than the bulges will be attacked and in many instances destroyed due to the prolonged treating time necessitated by the thicker portion at the bulges.

- In order to overcome this objectionable featureof reciprocating guide type traversing mechanisms, cardioidal cams, or the like, have been employed to control the movement of the reciprocating member or guide and give an'acceleration to the transverse movements of the re ciprocating member or guide at the ends of the package However, this type of .device does not stand up long when operated at high speeds and wears rapidly.- In fact, incam operated mechanisms good design practice "places a definite limit on the cam speed which varies somewhat with the materials and masses of'the'reciprocating parts employed. Many camftraverse mechanisms which are presently available are not rec- 2,924,398 i ate ted Feb. 9, I960 ommended by their manufacturers for continuous and long service at traverse speeds in excess of 300 cycles per minute. production rates.

It is a primary object of the present invention to I provide an apparatus for winding strands evenly on a revoluble supporting member at high Speeds and an apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages pointed out hereinbefore. It is another object of the invention to provide a new high speed traversing mechanism for use in winding strands evenly on a revoluble supporting member. It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a new high speed traversing mechanism for use in winding strands evenly on a revoluble member which has a minimum of movable parts subject to wear and which eliminates bulges at the ends of the wound package. It is another specific object of the invention to provide a new high speed traversing mechanism for use in winding strands evenly on a revoluble member which is capable of producing several thousand cycles per min-' ute at a constant linear speed. Other objects and advan- 7 ersing mechanism comprising a rhombus-shaped stator tages of the present invention will in part appear and will in part be apparent from the accompanying drawing and the description of the invention hereinafter.

, In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished by employing a magnetically operated travhaving a movable and rotatable traveler and guide mounted in a rhombus shaped groove or track thereon. When the stator is energized from an A0. polyphase power source, a rotating magnetic field is set up which travels 1 around the rhombus shaped stator at a constant linear speed and at the same time, the magnetic field, which is induced in the traveler by the rotating magnetic or stator field, causes a force on the traveler which in turn causes the traveler to rotate with the rotating stator field.

" The strand being wound is placed in contact with the stood that this is in no way intended in a limitativeguide on the traveler and a back and forth motion is imparted to the moving strand as it is being wound by reason of the traveler rotating or moving along under the influence of the rotating magnetic field in the rhombus-shaped groove or track.

In order that the following detailed description of the present invention may be clearly understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing illustrating a practical embodiment of the invention, it being undernism,

" J series of coils 3 mounted therein.

' ing plate 4 (Figure 2).

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing another preferred means of winding a strand on a revoluble supporting member in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 5 is a view showing one means of bringing the strand being wound in contact with the guide pin, and

Figure 6 is a view showing one means of mounting the guide pin on the traveler.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the mag netic traverse mechanism comprises a stator 2 having a The stator is formed from any metal or metallic material which is capable .of being magnetized, Le, a ferromagnetic material, the The stator 2 is mounted on a non-magnetic backing plate or support- When in operation, the travers preferred metal being transformer steel.

This results in limited winding speeds and ing mechanism would be mounted in operating position by means of brackets or other suitable supporting members fastened to the backing plate 4.

I Mounted on the backing plate 4 and positioned internally of the rhombus-shaped stator 2, is an iron core 5'. Fastened to the inside surface of the stator 2 is a nonmagnetic track 6. The track may be made of a nonmagnetic metal, plastic, etc. The core 5 and track 6 form the walls of a continuous channel or groove 7. Mounted in the channel 7 is a rotatable traveler 8 having a guide pin 9 mounted therein. The traveler 8 is held in position in the channel 7 by means of the guides or traveler rings 10 and 11 (Figure 2), which in turn are fastened to the iron core 5. The traveler 8 is positioned so as to ride or roll on the non-magnetic track 6 when the stator is energized, as explained more fully hereinafter.

The shape of the stator 2 is a rhombus and the angles thereof may be varied as to give a required build-up of the bobbin wind. The groove or channel 7 and the track 6 are also rhombus-shaped and the track 6 is shaped in a smooth curve at points G and G in order to afford a smooth and even change or reversal of direction of travel to the traveler 8 when in operation.

The stator 2 of the magnetic traversing mechanism of the instant invention has a polyphase winding which, when energized from an A.C. polyphase power source, will provide a rotating magnetic field that travels around the rhombus-shaped stator at a constant linear speed. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 a three phase, six pole, double layer lap winding is employed. Only the winding connections for one phase will be described, since the other two phases of the three phase system will be connected in the same manner.

Referring to Figure 1, terminal 12 of coil 3a is connected to terminal 13 of coil 30; terminal 14 of coil 3b to terminal 15 of coil 3d; terminal 16 of coil 3c to terminal 17 of coil 3e; terminal 18 of coil 3d to terminal 19 of coil 3 terminal 20 of coil 3e to terminal 21 of coil 3g; terminal 22 of coil 3 to terminal 23 of coil 3h; terminal 24 of coil 3g to terminal 25 of coil 3i; terminal 26 of coil 311 to terminal 27 of coil 3k; terminal'28 of coil 3j to terminal 29 of coil 3L; terminal 30 of coil 3k to terminal 31 of coil 3m; terminal 32 of coil 3L to terminal 33 of coil 3a; and terminal 34 of coil 3m is connected to terminal 35 of coil 3b. This constitutes the Winding connections of phase A of the three phase system. The winding connections of phases B and C of the three phase system will be similar to that of phase A, the next two coils following each pair of the phase A coils, described above, in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, constituting the B .phase and each next succeeding pair of coils following the B phase coils in the same direction constituting phase C of the system (see the brackets marked B and C in Figure 1).

As pointed out hereinbefore, a rotating magnetic field is set up in the stator 2 when the coils are energized and the magnetic field travels around the rhombus-shaped stator at a constant linear speed. This is accomplished by arranging a plurality of groups of coils mounted in stator 2, such as the groups identified in Figure l as phase A coils, phase B coils, and phase C coils, so that the groups of coils are energizable in a sequence. As indicated, the sequential energization of the groups of coils is provided conveniently from an A.C. polyphase power source. With reference to Figure 1 it is seen that when phase A coils are energized by one phase of a suitable A.C. polyphase power source, the energization of phase B coils and phase C coils will be at a minimum, whereby the magnetic field induced by the energization of phase A coils will cause traveler 8 to move counter-clockwise in its associated track. In the sequential energization phase B coils will be energized next by a second phase of the A.C. polyphase power with the energization phase A coils and phase C coils being at a As a result, the magnetic field of phase B coils will induce traveler 8 further to move counter-clockwise in its associated track. In like manner the traveler 8 will continue its movement when phase C coils are energized to complete one succession of the consecutive energization of the plurality of groups of coils. Thus, the sequential energization of the coils provides, in effect, a rotating magnetic field that travels around the stator at a constant linear speed, thus causing the traveler 8 to move around its associated track. The strength of this magnetic field is increased by the stationary core 5. The core 5 may be omitted, if desired, which of course will depend on the strength of the magnetic field necessary for the particular winding operation at the time.

The magnetic field which is induced in the traveler 8 by the rotating magnetic field causes a force on the traveler which in turn causes it to rotate with the rotating magnetic field in the stator and the speed of the traveler can be controlled by varying the frequency of the power supply. When the traveler 8 rotates around the rhombus-shaped track 7 it rotates around its own axis. Likewise the guide pin 9 also rotates around its own axis. In order to reduce friction and any possible damage to the strand being wound, the guide pin should be made of a smooth hard material, such as a ceramic material, synthetic sapphire, and the like. In many instances, however, it may be desirable to have the guide pin free to rotate in either direction. This is accomplished, as shown in Figure 6, by mounting the guide pin 9 on a swivel or swivel joint 36 which in turn is mounted on the traveler 8. The traveler may be a solid metal roller which is capable of being magnetized or it may comprise a metallic casing packed with an inert or non-magnetic material, such as nylon, plastic, or the like, etc.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown diagrammatically one meansof winding a strand in accordance with the present invention. The strand 38 is passed over a feed roll 37 which is in alignment with the spool or bobbin 39 onwhich the strand is being wound. The spool or bobbin 39 is driven by any suitable means, not shown. In addition, the feed roll 37 may be an idler roll or it may be positively driven in which case it will be driven in synchronization with the spool or bobbin 39 adapted to be driven on spindle 40 which in turn is driven by belt 41 in a conventional manner to collect the strand 38. In place of the feed roll 37,, a guide may be employed, if desired, such as a V-shaped guide, a pig-tail, or any other suitable guide member. The strand 38 is placed in contact with the guide pin 9 of the traveler 8. If the traveler 8 is rotating in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, the strand would be placed to the left of the guide pin. However, when the traveler passed to the right of the vertical'axis of the rhombus the guide pin would pass out of contact with the strand and improper winding would result. To overcome this phenomena, the strand 38 is wrapped around the guidepin 9, as shown in Figure 5, making sure that the strand is wrapped thereabout in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the guide pin about its own axis, in this case, a counter-clockwise direction.

In many winding operations, the rate of travel of the strand from the feed roll 37 or guide, when the sameis employed, may be greater than the speed of rotation of the guide pin '9 about its own axis. In such instances the guide pin 9 should be mounted in a freely rotatable manner on a swivel 36, as shown in Figure 6.

In Figure 4, there is shown diagrammatic-ally another means of winding a strand on a bobbin or spool, or the like, in accordance with the present invention. In this method of winding the feedroll 37, or the guide when the same is employed, is offset from the bobbin 39. The strand 38 is placed in contact with the guide pin 9'on the right hand side thereof, as viewed in Figure 4. When the traveler 8 reaches point G (see Figure 1), the strand has reached they left handsideof the bobbin 39, The

guide pin forces the strand to the righthand-side or edge of the bobbin and then restrains the movement of the strand back to the left hand side or edge of the bobbin. In this embodiment, the strand 38 need not be wrapped around the guide pin, as shown in Figure 5. However, in order to reduce the friction between the strand and guide pin, it is preferred to employ a swivel mounted guide pin, as shown in Figure 6, when using an offset bobbin windup."

When employing the rhombus-shaped magnetic traversing mechanism of the instant invention the same may be "of'any desired size depending upon the width of the winding desired, the build up which it is desired to achieve .on the bobbin or spool or other revoluble supporting member, and the speed of winding as well as the traverse speed desired. In these instances it may be desirable and sometimes necessary to employ more or less coils in the stator which will be connected in much the same manner as defined herein, such changes being those which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the points G and G in Figure 1 may be further apart or closer together and likewise, the turning points on the vertical axis of the rhombus stator may be closer together or further apart. It should be borne in mind, however, that when making suchchanges the turning radius of the traveler track, and likewise the groove or'chann'el'7, must be such that it is consistent with good rotational operation. When the turning radius of the traveler track 6 is kept to a minimum, extremely rapid traverse reversals can be obtained since the inertia due to rotation assists in overcoming the inertia of translation when the traveler changes direction at points G and G. Further, the translational motion only changes approximately 90 as compared to the normal 180 of many conventional traverse mechanisms employed presently and heretofore. In fact, the present invention the angle at G and G may be as great as 90 and the minimum angle will be dependent upon the minimum turning radius, which in turn will be governed in part by the size of the traveler, i.e., the diameter of the traveler.

In those instances where a limited amount of guiding is required in a direction other than in the normal direction of the traverse guide pin, such as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the guide pin can be notched. and the strand placed therein. Various other modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention has numerous advantages among which can be mentioned that with the present invention it is possible to obtain a traverse which is capable of several thousand cycles per minute, particularly 100 to as high as 3,000 cycles per minute. This of course results in higher speed winding and as a result, in increased production. The present invention is versatile in that it is suitable for a wide variety of traverse applications. The present invention incorporates the features that are required in a good traverse, such as (1) fast traverse, which is due to a single moving part and the need for complicated mechanical linkages is alleviated; (2) constant linear speed which is always desirable and which results in smoothly and evenly wound strand packages; and (3) low maintenance and low first cost since the apparatus is simple in construction and has only a single rotating part which may be subject to undue wear. Numerous other advantages of the instant invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the present invention has been described in terms of its specific embodiments, certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is to be limited only by the reasonable scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A strand winding mechanism comprising a revoluble strand supporting member, means for guiding a strand to the member strand traversing means positioned adja-' cent the path of the strand preceding the supporting memher, said traversing means comprising a rhombus-shaped stator having a plurality of groups of coils mounted therein and arranged so that the groups of coils are energizable in a sequence, a track mounted on the stator, a rotatable traveler positioned on the track, second strand guide means mounted on the traveler, so as to contact the strand, and electrical means for energizing sequentially the groups of coils, thereby providing a magnetic field that causes said traveler to move in its associated track.

2. A strand winding mechanism as defined in claim 1' wherein there are guide means positioned adjacent the path of the traveler for positioning the traveler on the track.

3. A strand winding mechanism comprising a revoluble strand supporting member, means for guiding a strand to the member, strand traversing means positioned adjacent the path of the strand preceding the supporting member, said traversing means comprising a backing plate, a rhombus-shaped stator mounted on the backing plate, a plurality of groups of coils mounted in the stator and arranged so that the groups of coils are energizable in a sequence, a metallic core mounted on the backing plate internally of the stator, said stator and core forming a rhombus-shaped channel, a track mounted on the stator in such a position as to form one wall of the rhombusshaped channel, a rotatable traveler positioned for rotation on the track, second strand guide means mounted on the traveler so as to contact the strand, and electrical means for energizing sequentially the groups of coils, thereby providing a magnetic field that causes said traveler to move in its associated track.

4. A strand winding mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein there are guide means mounted on the metallic core adjacent the path of the traveler to maintain the position of the traveler on the track.

5. A strand winding mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein the second strand guide means mounted on the traveler is freely rotatable about its own axis.

6. A strand winding mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein the coils comprise a polyphase winding and the electrical means is an A.C. polyphase power source.

7. A strand winding mechanism comprising a revoluble strand supporting member, means for guiding a strand to the member, said guiding means being in alignment with a point equidistant from the ends of said member, strand traversing means positioned adjacent the path of the strand preceding the supporting member, said traversing means comprising a backing plate, a rhombusshaped stator mounted on the backing plate, a plurality of groups of coils mounted in the stator and arranged so that the groups of coils are energizable in a sequence, a metallic core mounted on the backing plate internally of the stator, said stator and core forming a rhombusshaped channel, a track mounted on the stator in such a position as to form one wall of the rhombus-shaped channel, a rotatable traveler positioned for rotation on the track, second strand guide means mounted on the traveler so as to contact the strand and move it back and forth across the surface of the supporting member as the traveler rotates in the rhombus-shaped channel, and electrical means for energizing sequentially the groups of coils, thereby providing a magnetic field that causes said traveler to move in its associated track.

8. A strand winding mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein the second strand guide means mounted on the traveler is freely rotatable about its own axis.

9. A strand winding mechanism comprising a revoluble strand supporting member for receiving a winding thereabout, means for guiding a strand to the member, said guiding means being in alignment with one edge of the windings on the member, strand traversing means positioned adjacent the path of the strand preceding the supporting member, said traversing means comprising a back- -ing-plate, a rhombus shaped stator mounted on the backing plate,-a plurality of groups of coils mounted in the stator and arranged so that the groups of coils are energizablein a sequence, a metallic core mounted on the backing plate internallyvof the stator, said stator and core forming a rhombus-shaped channel, a track mounted on the stator in such a position as to form one wall of the rhombus-shaped channel, a rotatabletraveler positioned for rotation on the track, second strand guide means mounted on the traveler so as to contact the strand and move it back and forth across the surface of the supporting member as the traveler rotates in the rhombus-shaped channel, and electrical means for energizing sequentially the groups of coils, thereby providing a magnetic field that causes said traveler to move in its associated track;

10. A magnetic strand traversing mechanism for use in winding a strand on a revoluble strand supporting member comprising a backing plate, a rhombus-sha'ped I 7 References Cited in the file of this, patent,

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,020,942 Bachelet Mar, 19,1912 1,161,284 Belz Nov. 23, 1915 1,307,210 Newcomb June 17, 1919 1,393,231 Magerle et al Oct. 11, 1921 1,469,470 Wright Oct. 2, 1923 1,764,618 Franks June 17, 1930 1,919,928 Briggs July 25, 1933 2,083,251 Bradshaw et al. June 8, 1937 2,135,373 Wilson Nov. 1, 1938 2,144,835 Dickinson Jan. 24, 1939 2,630,839 Birtwell Mar. 10, 1953 2,638,347 Maggi May 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 493,664 Germany ..'Mar. 14, 1930 833,092 France July 11, 1938 

